Top 20 TV Shows of 2017

My resulting year-end list for 2017 TV somewhat mirrors the mid-year rankings.  Anyway, without further ado, let’s jump into it (by the way, for a more expounded evaluation on a particular show, click on the links when available).

Honorable Mentions: The Flash (its current season is a back to form for it.  Unfortunately, season 3, early in the year, is so disappointing and off-puttingly angsty that it isn’t able to make this list’s cut-off), Welcome to the Ballroom, Justice League Action, Planet Earth II, Kakegurui: Compulsive Gambler

20.) PSYCH: THE MOVIE

This would have been much higher in the list if everyone from the old gang had been able to participate.  Series revival please!

19.) RUNAWAYS

It’s yet to blow me away.  But, so far, it’s a solid live-action spin on one of the most intriguing comics of the 21^st century, featuring one of my most favorite small-sized teams in fiction.  It has lost much of its comicbook-y feel, but with its direction, it has allowed the Pride, i.e. the kids’ evil parents, to be more fleshed out.

18.) ORPHAN BLACK

Gonna miss this awesome show.

17.) AMERICAN GODS

Eye-candy visuals and a competent novel-to-live-action transposition make it a worthy adaptation.

16.) ATTACK ON TITAN

I was expecting a bit more from it after having to wait for so long.  Still great though.

15.) KONOSUBA: GOD'S BLESSINGS ON THIS WONDERFUL WORLD!

Seriously, if the rest of the series can be as hilarious and enjoyable as it has been from its start till now, it could become one of my all-time favorite anime.

14.) 13 REASONS WHY

A season 2 is on the way, which doesn’t really make sense.  Nonetheless, season 1 had been a riveting, provocative, easy-to-binge small screen affair.

13.) STRANGER THINGS 2

Just as good as the first season overall.  But the last two episodes have been the strongest this series has ever been.

12.) RIVERDALE

Early in the year, right off the bat, season 1 turned heads by introducing a subversive reimagining of Archie and friends, and Bughead kept it addicting and worthwhile.  Season 2 has dipped in appeal though.  So far, it doesn’t feel as rewarding as its debut season.  Maybe it’s because Bughead broke up.  Thus, it has made a tremendous drop from its ranking in my mid-year list.

11.) THE ORVILLE

Fan-boy Seth MacFarlane has successfully pulled off making his passion project a likable comedic homage to old-school Star Trek that is even better than the current Star Trek show.

10.) MY HERO ACADEMIA

Season 2’s 25 episodes came as a delightful surprise.  I thought it was just going to have 13 episodes, like the first season.  It has continually been a quirky, absorbing take on the superhero genre, and just keeps getting better with each new episode.  As a result, it’s my pick for best anime series of 2017.

9.) LEGENDS OF TOMORROW

Best DCW show for two seasons straight.  Also, Leonard Snart (from an alternate universe) is temporarily back in the team!

8.) BLACK MIRROR

The latest season has my least favorite episode so far.  But it also has what could be the show’s most mindblowing reveal yet.

7.) CASTLEVANIA

Written by prolific comic book writer Warren Ellis, this adult-oriented animated show debuted with just four episodes. But they were enough to establish how great it could be.

6.) GAME OF THRONES

The pacing of the penultimate season significantly quickened that the logistics often didn’t make sense.  Aside from that, it was quite epic!

5.) WEIGHTLIFTING FAIRY KIM BOK-JU

Swag.

4.) THE DEFENDERS

Watching this show, seeing them band together for the first time, I was almost as thrilled as the time I saw The Avengers for the first time ever.

3.) SHERLOCK

Great.  But a bit disappointing if it would serve as series finale.

2.) DOCTOR WHO

I savored Peter Capaldi’s final season as the Doctor.  Then, in the emotional Christmas special, he took his bow and passed the torch to Jodie Whitaker.

1.) RICK AND MORTY

Wubba lubba dub dub!